Chaos in Mumbai after just 30 minutes of rain

The city and suburbs witnessed heavy rain along with lightning and thunder yesterday, causing train services to be delayed and waterlogging; nearly 200 trees that gave way added to the woes

Citizens got some respite from the sweltering heat yesterday, when heavy rains lashed in many parts of the city and its suburbs. However, the surprise rains left behind waterlogged streets, uprooted trees, traffic jams and other issues for Mumbaikars to deal with.

Lightning seen above an under-construction building in Wadala and on the highway near Ghatkopar. Met department says thundershowers will continue to hit the city in the next two days. Pics/Sameer Markande and Shadab Khan

Mercury levels went from 34.7 degree Celsius on Sunday to 37 degree Celsius on Monday, and Tuesday was as hot till evening. However, at 6.30 pm, heavy rainfall was observed across Mumbai, accompanied by winds that touched speeds of 112 kmph. The wind caused an asbestos sheet on Currey Road station to come apart, and also uprooted hundreds of trees in the city.

A fire department official told mid-day, “There was utter chaos in our office yesterday due to the rains, since nearly 200 trees were reported fallen.” Waterlogging was also observed at Hindmata (Parel), Byculla, Dadar, Kurla and Currey Road station. As a result, traffic was slow moving and jams were seen in several places.

Fire officials said nearly 200 trees fell due to the rains yesterday

Effects on healthDoctors are also worried the sudden fluctuation in temperatures will cause Mumbaikars to fall ill. Dr Sadanand Rao, a general physician, explained, “Weather changes can lead to conjunctivitis, cough, cold, fever and other viral infections.

Therefore, one can prevent these conditions by maintaining hygiene in all senses, right from clothes to your surroundings. The most basic precaution to take is to avoid outside food, and drink only boiled or filtered water.” Dr Gaurang Tolat, another general physician, added, “The number of diseases in the city increases when the weather changes.

To prevent illnesses, one should stop eating food from outside. These are the two things (weather and food) that lead to viral fever, cough and cold.” According to the Met department, the sky is expected to be partly cloudy for the next 48 hours. Rain and thundershowers are expected in the city and suburbs.

When asked why the rains had suddenly arrived after two scorching days, V K Rajeev, director, IMD, said, “The cause for increase in temperature is because the wind direction has changed. Lack of humidity had also caused the heat. Tuesday evening’s rains are a part of the withdrawal of monsoon.”

Trains affectedSudden rains caused severe delays in all three lines when tracks got blocked due to fallen objects. On Western Railway, a tree fall around 7.20 pm between Marine Lines and Churchgate delayed Up fast trains by 15-20 minutes. According to the railway control, officials cleared the tracks by 7.45 pm.

Nearly 77 services on Central Railway’s Main and Harbour lines were affected due to the rains. The Wadala-CST route was partly shut after a sheet of asbestos fell onto the tracks near Cotton Green at around 7.45 pm. It was restored only at 10 pm.

Andheri-bound trains on the Harbour line were also running late by an hour. Trains from CST to Panvel were diverted onto the Main line and redirected back at Kurla, causing a delay of nearly 40 minutes.

While shuttle services were operated between Wadala and Panvel, normalcy in services was expected to return only by 11 pm. Main line trains were also running late by around 15-20 minutes.